No Local Independent Appraisers, How to Handle?

[N2D-986S]

I have searched the independent appraiser list here on Pricescope as well as a few other sites and unfortuanatly there arn''t any appraisers here in Charlotte, NC. The closest one is about 2.5 hours away. How have others tackled this problem? I plan on buying a premium cut stone (ACA or GOG) but would like to see it before I make the final purchase. I know I can have it sent to one of the trusted appraisers who participate on the board, and right now that is what I am thinking, but should I be worried about not seeing the stone in person? I am looking at a 2ct, H color SI1 stone and I am worried about not seeing the stone and then finding out the inclusions are not acceptible only when I get the final ring product. I am going with a Mark Morrell setting so once I choose a stone and the ring comes to me I really can''t change my mind since his rings are built around the stone.

Any advice or past experience on how best to handle this would be greatly appreciated!

 

[oldminer]

Pay for the diamond and have it sent to you for a quick examination. If it meets with your expectations, then send it to an appraiser of your choice since MWM needs this third party verification anyway. If the diamond is not satisfactory, just return it without spending any $$$ for the appraisal. You are saving thousands of dollars buying this way, and it might be a good idea to spend a few hundred to be sure you are doing it right the first time.

 

[:)]

A lot of us do exactly what Old Miner said - purchase the diamond, have it sent to yourself to check out, then send by mail to an appraiser (us postal service registered is very safe and will insure the first 25K if you are below that - over that you need additional outside insurance), who will evaluate it for you, and go from there.

 

[N2D-986S]

Okay, thanks for the advice. I see the logic behind that method. I guess even with a great stone like an ACA or a GOG hand picked stone you need to see it in person before it goes to the appraiser when it is an SI1 or even a VS2. Thanks again.